How good was Rick Hatton?

[shza]

Ricky could be rated higher than Joe Galzaghe, because he did not wait too long with Warren, who would have been happy for Ricky to defend his IBO title against journeyman fighters and make shed loads of money. There is no Sven Ottke in Ricky’s closet, Witter does not count and Cotto moved up in weight to allow the fight from coming off. Ricky took risks going up to welterweight and Joe did not until very late in his career. If Ricky manoeuvred his career more cautiously he could have retired undefeated too

I don't agree with a single thing you said there aside from the fact that Hatton jumped ship with Warren, which is indeed to his credit. Hatton was very good, but nowhere near as good as Calzaghe, nor did he achieve as much even despite much better management. You could easily assume that if Calzaghe had Hatton's marketability(why he didn't is beyond me), he would have also retired with a much higher profile in America. For Hatton to have retired undefeated he would've clearly had to avoid Mayweather and Pacquiao. Had he not fought those two men, even despite losing so badly, his legacy would pale even moreso in comparison with Calzaghes. It would have been no different than had Calzaghe not fought Kessler and Hopkins. Instead, the difference is that Joe won those fights
And to say that there is no Sven Ottke in Ricky's closet, and that Witter doesn't count is purely ludicrous. Witter was MUCH more of a threat to Hatton and a much more lucrative fight than Ottke to Calzaghe, obviously. That would have been easy as hell to make in the UK and Hatton could have taken almost the whole purse.

Apparently Warren had quite a lot of profile raising offers which he presented to Calzaghe, but Calzaghe didn't want them. I think in his book, Joe said that it either never interested him or he didn't have the confidence to go through with stuff like that.

Ricky Hatton beat a great champion in Kostya on a great night for British boxing. Joe beat Eubanks at short notice and then fought poor fighters for 10 years. Ricky unified some of the titles where possible including a weight up, Joe fought his mandatory’s and Ottke’s left overs never really taking a chance until the end of his career.

Ricky did not have to fight Floyd at welterweight, especially after struggling at the weight but he took the chance. Joe was very good but Ricky should not be punished for taking on the best and coming short. Would you want to see Ricky v Floyd or Pac Man than Witter? No chance.

Joe would have beaten Ottke but did not take the chance, Joe may have lost to Roy Jones at light heavy but never took the opportunity.

Calzaghe was more protected and dodged the big fights, instead waiting for those guys to get past their primes (especially jones - that fight was 100% meaningless). I also thought Hopkins won their fight.

But I don't know how you can possibly deny that Calzaghe was just the more talented fighter, both technically and in terms of raw athleticism. Difference in class.

[Master]

Ricky could be rated higher than Joe Galzaghe, because he did not wait too long with Warren, who would have been happy for Ricky to defend his IBO title against journeyman fighters and make shed loads of money. There is no Sven Ottke in Ricky’s closet, Witter does not count and Cotto moved up in weight to allow the fight from coming off. Ricky took risks going up to welterweight and Joe did not until very late in his career. If Ricky manoeuvred his career more cautiously he could have retired undefeated too

I don't agree with a single thing you said there aside from the fact that Hatton jumped ship with Warren, which is indeed to his credit. Hatton was very good, but nowhere near as good as Calzaghe, nor did he achieve as much even despite much better management. You could easily assume that if Calzaghe had Hatton's marketability(why he didn't is beyond me), he would have also retired with a much higher profile in America. For Hatton to have retired undefeated he would've clearly had to avoid Mayweather and Pacquiao. Had he not fought those two men, even despite losing so badly, his legacy would pale even moreso in comparison with Calzaghes. It would have been no different than had Calzaghe not fought Kessler and Hopkins. Instead, the difference is that Joe won those fights
And to say that there is no Sven Ottke in Ricky's closet, and that Witter doesn't count is purely ludicrous. Witter was MUCH more of a threat to Hatton and a much more lucrative fight than Ottke to Calzaghe, obviously. That would have been easy as hell to make in the UK and Hatton could have taken almost the whole purse.

Apparently Warren had quite a lot of profile raising offers which he presented to Calzaghe, but Calzaghe didn't want them. I think in his book, Joe said that it either never interested him or he didn't have the confidence to go through with stuff like that.

Ricky Hatton beat a great champion in Kostya on a great night for British boxing. Joe beat Eubanks at short notice and then fought poor fighters for 10 years. Ricky unified some of the titles where possible including a weight up, Joe fought his mandatory’s and Ottke’s left overs never really taking a chance until the end of his career.

Ricky did not have to fight Floyd at welterweight, especially after struggling at the weight but he took the chance. Joe was very good but Ricky should not be punished for taking on the best and coming short. Would you want to see Ricky v Floyd or Pac Man than Witter? No chance.

Joe would have beaten Ottke but did not take the chance, Joe may have lost to Roy Jones at light heavy but never took the opportunity.

Calzaghe was more protected and dodged the big fights, instead waiting for those guys to get past their primes (especially jones - that fight was 100% meaningless). I also thought Hopkins won their fight.

But I don't know how you can possibly deny that Calzaghe was just the more talented fighter, both technically and in terms of raw athleticism. Difference in class.

No you are right Joe was more skilled and had a better pedigree. However good his talent he did leave his legacy with many unanswered questions, whereas with Hatton there is little speculation.

[0james0]

Hatton was very good, just not good enough.

Like @Master just said, at least with Hatton there are no unanswered questions, he pushed and found his limits.

[Master]

Hatton was very good, just not good enough.

Like @Master just said, at least with Hatton there are no unanswered questions, he pushed and found his limits.

Whereas Joe left us with a lot of unanswered questions.

[piye]

I hate when people say he only lost to the best he never fought everyone he should have Witter, Bradley, Holt he avoided fast fighters until he fought Maywaether and Pac

[luvfightgame]

I think Hatton gave PBF his toughest fight other than 1 round with Mosley.

Overall, he was a bit overrated because some fans forget fighters are human and have limitations. He should have stayed at 140 and he would have had a few more years of dominance. I think he would have stopped Zab and he really didn't have much in the division at the time he went to 147.

[Dark Lord Al]

Ricky was a really good fighter , he pushed himself , and could have avoided PBF etc , but he wanted to at least try to beat the best, and for that he should be commended.
He should have lived the boxers life a bit more , but he is what he is , all round hes a good egg.

He should be commended for fighting 2 prime p4p boxers.
Not criticised for 2 losses.

Far better than fighting bums , corpses , and O.A.P's , are you listening Calzaghe ?

[TitoFan]

Credit to Hatton for getting into the ring against the two p4p fighters today. I just don't think his resume warranted getting those shots in the first place. I think it was more of a popularity issue that carried Hatton to those big paydays.

Where Hatton DID rub me the wrong way was when he dared to imply he was fighting for the world's p4p when he was going to face Pacquaio. The nerve. And just bypass all other, much better fighters than himself in the process? Sorry... that's not the way p4p works. You WORK your way toward a p4p fight by beating the top contenders out there. And convincingly... not the way he got the nod against Luis Collazo.

As it turns out, justice was made in the ring... and any talk of world's p4p disappeared with one vicious left cross from hell.